Manage Heart Disease Risk With Diabetes.pdf

Has your doctor said that you’re at high risk for heart disease? Do you have diabetes? Have you already had a heart attack? If you said “yes” to any of these questions, you are more likely to have a heart attack or a stroke. But you can take steps to prevent heart disease or lower your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

Heart disease occurs when the blood vessels (the arteries, veins, and capillaries that the heart moves blood through) become narrowed or blocked from a blood clot. If the blood supply to your heart is cut off by a blood clot, you are having a heart attack. If blood flow to the brain is blocked, you are having a stroke.

The closer your “ABCs” are to your targets, the better your chances of preventing heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. A is for A1C, which tells you your average blood glucose over the past 2 to 3 months. B is for blood pressure, which is the force of blood inside your blood vessels. C is for cholesterol, which tells you how much fat, also called lipids, is in your blood.

Your doctor can tell you the best target for you. You can help reach your targets by making smart food choices, losing weight if you need to, exercising and being active, quitting smoking, and taking medicines (if needed).

Make smart food choices by limiting saturated fat, eating less salt, eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, cutting back on high-cholesterol foods, and eating fish 2 or 3 times a week. Lose weight or take steps to prevent weight gain by cutting down on calories and fat, eating smaller portion sizes, and trying to be more physically active than you are now.

Be physically active by aiming for a total of about 30 minutes of physical activity, such as brisk walking, five days of the week. If you smoke or use e-cigarettes, quit by asking your doctor for help or calling your state quit line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) or visiting smokefree.gov. Take medicines as prescribed by your doctor to help you reach your ABC targets and lower your risk of heart disease.